Pulsating stomach pumping apparatus and the like



Jan. 9, 1962 F. A. OLDENBURG 3,0

PULSATING STOMACH PUMPING APPARATUS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 20. 1958 N62 INVENTOR.

FRANK A.OLDENBURG WWI-N ATTYS.,

Jan. 9, 1962 F. A. OLDENBURG 3,

PULSATING STOMACH PUMPING APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Filed March 20, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

. INVENTOR. FRANK A. OLDENBURG f ,i a f 11 L ATTYS.

United States Patent ()flflce 3,016,055 Patented Jan. 9, 1962 3,016,055PULSATING STOMACH PUMPING APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Frank A. Oldenburg,2971 Silver Lake Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Filed Mar. 20, 1958, Ser.No. 722,743 Claims. (Cl. 128-278) This invention relates to pulsatingvacuum stomach pumping apparatus or the like for providing regular butintermittent suctional pumping impulses.

Heretofore there have been various types of apparatus proposed for usein withdrawing or pumping fluids from a persons stomach, or for otheractions such as for human or animal milking actions. These pulsatingpumping devices provided heretofore have been relatively expensive,complicated structures in many instances, or the apparatuses may havehad only infrequent, or non-uniform pumping pulses therein.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved stomach pumping apparatus or the like characterized by theprovision of uniformly timed, but relatively rapidly repeated cycles ofsuctional pumping action in the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to use relatively uncomplicated,commercially available products in apparatus for providing a pulsatingvacuum in a flexible pumping tube adapted to be positioned, for example,in the stomach of a person.

Another object of the invention is to provide means in apparatus of theclass described for controlling the degree of vacuum established in theoutlet tube or pumping member of the apparatus to control the intensityof pumping action provided.

Further objects of the invention are to provide dependable low costpumping apparatus, to provide apparatus adapted to operate a pluralityof pumping means from a common control, and to use a multichamber vacuumpump to change a constant vacuum to an intermittent vacuum.

The foregoing and other objects invention will be made more apparentproceeds.

Attention now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows apparatus embodying the principles of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through a container including therein thepumping or pulsating vacuum production means of the invention withconduits extending therefrom for connection to the source of vacuum andto a receiver for pumped liquids;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through control means for thevacuum circuit in the vacuum motor of the apparatus; and

FIG. 4 is a section, like FIG. 3, of a modified embodiment of a vacuummotor used in practice of the invention.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings andreferred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used tofacilitate comparison therebetween. I

The details of the present invention will be made more apparent whenreference is made to the accompanying drawings and apparatus of theinvention is indicated as a whole therein by the numeral 1. This pumpingapparatus includes a suitable source of a continuous vacuum, such as avacuum pump 2. The vacuum pump 2 connects through a suitable cOnduit 3to a control valve 4 that can be used to turn the pumping apparatus onor ofi, as desired. Of course, other types of control means can beprovided, such as an electrical switch for running and advantages of theas the specification an electric motor that operates the vacuum pump 2as another means for turning the pumping apparatus of the invention onand off. The conduit 3 connects to a twochamber vacuum motor 5 that iscontinuously operated by the supply of a continuous vacuum thereto. Thevacuum motor 5 is of the type that has two separate chambers therein andwith the vacuum supplied to the motor and with atmospheric air pressurebeing alternately set up in a given chamber of the vacuum pump by theuniform operation of the vacuum pump 2.

Another conduit or tube 6 connects to the interior of one of thechambers in the vacuum motor 5 and extends to the interior of a suitablereceiver 7. This receiver 7 may comprise a relatively large glass jar,or any other conventional member as desired. A vacuum gauge 8 is shownconnected to the conduit 6 for indicating the pressure, or degree ofvacuum set up within the conduit 6 and receiver 7. The conduit 6, or anextension 6a thereof, extends into the receiver 7 and has a dischargeport or opening 9 therein. The conduit extension 6a usually is of arigid or fixed construction and it carries a float 10 thereon. Thisfloat 10 is adapted to be supported on any liquid received in thereceiver 7 and rise with increased level of such liquid. However, thelowest position of the float 10 usually is controlled by a lug or stopmember on the extension conduit 6a, rather than by liquid in thereceiver. Thus as liquid is collected in the receiver 7, the float 10will rise and ultimately cover the discharge port or ports 9 to shut 06further supply of vacuum to the interior of the receiver 7 and terminatethe pumping action automatically.

A suitable pumping means or cannula, in this instance a resilient orflexible plastic or rubber tube 11, is provided and it has apertures 12therein so that fluid can move into the tube 11 when the tube 11, forexample, is inserted through the throat into a patients stomach forpumping action therein. Such tube 11 is connected to the interior of thereceiver 7 by a suitable conduit or other connector. Thus, the desireddegree of vacuum and atmospheric pressure are alternately set up withinthe tube 11 to create the cyclic pressure and pumping action requiredfor drawing liquids into the tube 11 and through the conduit to depositthem in the receiver 7.

FIG. 1 of the drawings shows that a plurality of receivers 7 can beconnected to the conduit6, for example, by means of an additional orsupplemental conduit 6b extending from the conduit 6 to a secondaryreceiver 7a.

FIG. 2 of the drawings shows one typical commercial embodiment of theoperative and control means of the invention, as positioned in a box orcompartment 14. In this box 14, a two-compartment or chamber vacuummotor 15, like the motor 5, is suitably securedas'by cap screws 16engaging the motor 15 and engaging angles 17 on the box 14. The vacuummotor 15 connects to a source of continuous vacuum by a conduit 18 inwhich a vacuum control or regulator 19 is connected. This regulator 19may be of any conventional construction and can be used for bleeding inatmospheric air to the vacuum supply for reducing the vacuum supply andkeeping the degree of vacuum controlled within desirable operatinglimits.

It is necessary that the source of vacuum, such as the vacuum pump 2, beof suflicient size or power tov supply the desired degree of vacuum andthe volume or amount thereof with the rapidity as is required foroperation of the apparatus. Thus the regulator 19 can always out downthe amount of vacuum being processed through the apparatus of theinvention so that the pump 2, for example, should have excess capacityover that vacuum required for operation of the apparatus of theinvention.

The vacuum motor 15 has an outlet conduit 20 connected to one chamberthereof and extendingtherefrom,

like the conduit 6 in FIG. 1, for connection to a suitable receiver andassociated means for applying a desired degree of vacuum and atmosphericpressure thereto in alternate relationship to each other for pumpingaction.

The vacuum motor has a valve plate 21 provided therein which divides theinterior of the chamber provided in the vacuum motor into twocompartments and with the source of vacuum being connected thereto inalternating relationship to such chamber or compartment being connectedto the atmospheric air. The operation of the vacuum motor 15 is suchthat it has a quick recovery when pumping to change atmospheric airpressure over to vacuum. Hence, suction is rapidly provided to effectthe desired pumping action in the apparatus.

The outlet conduit has a pressure, or vacuum indicator meter 122connected therein so that the operator can readily see how the apparatusis functioning. The conduit 20 then extends to receivers 7, or the like,as indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows additional details of a typical multichamber vacuum motorsuch as the motors 5 or 15 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Any desired number ofchambers, but usually two, are provided in these motors and only onechamber of such motor is connected to a given receiver for pumpingaction. Thus in FIG. 3, there is shown a frame 22 for the vacuum motorand a valve box 23 is provided on a side portion of the frame 22. Theframe 22 defines an air tight enclosure and with a valve plate 21therein dividing such enclosure into two chambers at all times. A shaft24 is journalled in the frame 22 and positions the valve plate 21 withinthe frame 22. An extension or end portion of the shaft 24 carries a camplate 25 thereon. The cam plate 25 operates a control valve 26, whichmay be made from nylon, or other plastic, or other conventional lowfriction materials. The control valve 26 is substantially of C-shape insection and has one open side face and with the remainder of the valvebeing a closed, air-tight construction and with substantially air-tightengagement being obtained between the open side face of the controlvalve26 and the portion of the frame 22 against which the control valveis secured when operatively positioned. A center bore 27 is used tosupply a source of vacuum or to connect the control valve 26 to thevacuum inlet, or conduit 18. Outlet bores or ports 28 and 29 are alsoformed in the frame 22 or otherwise suitably associated therewith forconnecting to the different compartments provided in the enclosure ofthe frame. The control valve 26 has two operative positions, in oneinstance connecting the vacuum supply center bore 27 to the outlet orconnector bore 28, whereas in the other position the control valve 26connects the center bore 27 to the transfer or outlet bore 29. When thecontrol valve 26 is not in engagement with one of the bores 28 or 29,such bore is exposed to atmospheric pressure for flow of such pressureto the bore or chamber to which such bore connects.

A contact or follower plate 30 is maintained in contact with the camsurface of the cam plate 25 by a carrier arm 31 that extends through acenter slot in the con tact plate 30. The carrier arm 31 is pivotallysecured to the cam plate 25 and is pivoted on a center pin, or shaft 32.A coil spring 33 is in telescopic engagement with the carrier arm 31 andis compressed between the pin 32 and the plate 30 with the springcontinually urging the contact plate 30 against the cam plate 25. Thecarrier arm 31 is so positioned as to extend between the dead centerposition of the cam plate 25 with relation to the carrier or journal pin32 so that a snap action is provided in the cam plate and thus for thecontrol valve 26 as the cam plate is moved towards and then over itsdead center position. Preferably the open side portion of the controlvalve 26 is larger than the diameter of the connection bores 28 and 29so that some arcuate movement of the control valve about the inletsupply center bore 27 may be made before breaking the air or vacuum flowcircuit between one of the bores 28 and 29 and the center bore 27Suitable means (not shown) holds the control valve 26 against the frame22 when the parts are operatively associated.

if desired, some lost motion connection means may be provided connectingthe cam plate 25 to the positioning shaft 24 so that the cam plate 25 isonly moved in the center portion of arcuate movement of the shaft 24, asthe valve plate 21 is reciprocated within the frame 22.

FIG. .4 shows a modification of the vacuum motor 15 as vacuum motor 15aand wherein a slightly different type of a vacuum adjusting means isprovided. In this instance, a vacuum inlet or conduit 18a connects to aninlet supply bore or conduit 27a provided in the vacuum motor. Outlet ortransfer bores 28a and 29a are likewise provided in the frame 22a andconnect to the different chambers or compartments provided within thevacuum motor. The control valve 26a is shown in section in this instanceto bring out the hollow C-shape general contour of the valve which is ofthe same construction as the control valve 26 shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 4, the connecting bore 29a is of slightly different contour fromthat bore shown in FIG. 3, and such bore has a chamber 34 providedtherein. This chamber 34 has a mass of fibers 35 received therein andwith a pressure plate 36 being provided bearing on the fibers 35. Theposition of the pressure plate 36 is controlled by means of a threadedstud 37 in journalled engagement with the pressure plate 36 and suitablysealed in a tapped aperture provided in the enclosure or frame for thevacuum motor. Thus on rotation of the stud 37, the pressure plate 36 canprovide more or less pressure on the fibers 35 to impair the passage ofvacuum through such chamber, or else to ease the flow of air through thechamber so as to control the amount or degree of vacuum established inthe outlet means of the apparatus of the invention.

A partition wall 127a separates the bore 28a and the inlet supply bore27a.

FIG. 1 also indicates that another system for pumping action may beconnected to the opposite chamber of the vacuum motor 5 with a conduit60 being indicated extending therefrom and connecting to similar means,like the receiver 7. FIG. 1 thus shows a second receiver 70 connected tothe vacuum motor 5 by the conduit 60. Such receiver 70 has a cannula 71connected thereto, like the tube 11, to extend to a patient for pumpingaction. The receiver '70 is of the same construction and operation asthe receiver 7 but, when the conduit 6c and receiver 70 are used, bothchambers of the vacuum motor 5 are put into service and more pumpingactions and better elficiency of operation are available.

In setting up vacuum by the apparatus of the invention, any desireddegree of vacuum can be established, but normally the operative vacuumrange is from about to mm. of mercury. By use of the adjustment meansprovided, this vacuum range can be raised or lowered, as desired,depending upon the capacity of the apparatus.

The vacuum motors 5 and 15 are identical in construction and maybasically comprise a windshield wiper motor or other conventional twocompartment vacuum operated motor.

Any desired type of pumping means may be connected to the vacuum supplylines, such as the line or tube 11. Hence, human milking means may beconnected to such tube 11 for controllable vacuum, automaticallyoperated milking action.

From the foregoing it will be seen that an uncomplicated, pulsatingpumping apparatus has been provided using substantially conventionalcomponents adapted to have long service lives with a minimum ofmaintenance so that the objects of the invention have been achieved.

While two complete embodiments of the invention have been disclosedherein, it will be appreciated that modification of these particularembodiments of the invention may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A regularly pulsating stomach pumping apparatus or the likecomprising means to sup-ply a source of vacuum, a two-chamber vacuummotor connected to said vacuum means for continuous operation thereof,said vacuum motor alternately connecting each chamber thereof to saidvacuum means and to the atmosphere, a receiver, a conduit connecting onechamber of said motor to said receiver to alternately set up a vacuumand atmospheric air pressure therein, means operatively connecting tosaid conduit for controlling the degree of vacuum set up within saidreceiver, and a tube connected to the interior of said receiver andadapted to be associated with a person for pumping action by theintermittent vacuums set up within the tube.

2. A stomach pumping apparatus or the like comprising a vacuum pump, atwo-chamber vacuum motor connected to said vacuum pump for continuousoperation thereof; said vacuum motor including a frame defining anenclosure, a valve plate, a shaft positioning said valve plate in saidenclosure to divide it into two chambers, a twoposition control valveconnected to said vacuum pump to distribute the vacuum supply therein,means connecting said control valve alternately to one of said twochambers dependent upon the position of said control valve, and meansoperatively connected to said valve plate for moving said control valvefrom one position thereof to the other with movement of said valveplate, said vacuum motor alternately connecting each chamber thereof tosaid vacuum pump and to the atmosphere; a receiver, a conduit connectingone chamber of said motor to said receiver to alternately set up avacuum and atmospheric air pressure therein, a cannula, and a tubeconnected to the interior of said receiver and to said cannula forpumping action therein by the alternate pressures set up within saidreceiver.

3. A stomach pumping apparatus or the like comprising a vacuum pump, atwo-chamber vacuum motor connected to said vacuum pump for continuousoperation thereof; said vacuum motor including a frame defining anenclosure, a valve plate, a shaft positioning said valve plate in saidenclosure to divide it into two chambers, a two position control valveconnected to said vacuum pump, means connecting said control valvealternately to one of said two chambers dependent upon the position ofsaid control valve, and means operatively connected to said valve platefor moving said control valve from one position thereof to the otherwith movement of said valve plate; said control valve alternatelyconnecting each chamber of said vacuum motor to said vacuum pump and tothe atmosphere, a receiver, a conduit connecting one chamber of saidmotor to said receiver to alternately set up a vacuum and atmosphericair pressure therein, float means in said receiver to shut oif supply ofvacuum thereto when said receiver is filled with liquid to apredetermined level, and a tube connected to the interior of saidreceiver and adapted to be positioned in a persons stomach for pumpingaction therein by the alternate pressures set up within the tube.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said vacuum controlling meansincludes a fiber receiving compartment in said vacuum motor in the airflow circuit thereon, and means for compressing said fibers to controlthe ease of air flow therethrough to regulate the amount of vacuumprovided to said receiver.

5. A stomach pumping apparatus or the like comprising vacuum means forproviding a continuous vacuum, a two-chamber vacuum motor connected tosaid vacuum means for continuous operation thereof, said vacuum motoralternately connecting each chamber thereof to said vacuum means and tothe atmosphere, a plurality of receivers, conduit means connecting onechamber of said motor to said receivers to alternately set up a vacuumand atmospheric air pressure therein, a plurality of suction operatedcannula, and tube means individually connecting the interior of one ofsaid receivers to one of said cannula for pumping action by thealternate pressure and vacuum set up within said receiver.

6. A stomach pumping apparatus or the like comprising a continuousvacuum supply means, a two-chamber vacuum motor connected to said vacuummeans for continuous operation thereof, said vacuum motor having a valveplate therein dividing it into two chambers and alternately connectingeach chamber thereof to said vacuum means and to the atmosphere, a pairof receivers, conduit means connecting one chamber of said motor to oneof said receivers and the other chamber to the other of said receiversto alternately set up a vacuum and atmospheric air pressure therein, anda pair of tube means connected to the interiors of said receivers andadapted to be individually positioned in a persons stomach for pumpingaction therein by the alternate pressure set up within the tube.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 where vacuum control means are connected insaid conduit means between said vacuum motor and one of said receiversto control the degree of vacuum set up in said receiver.

8. Apparatus as in claim 6 where a vacuum control means comprising afiber receiving compartment in the air flow circuit for said vacuummotor and means for compressing said fibers to control the air flow ratethereto to regulate the amount of vacuum provided is connected to onechamber of said vacuum motor to control the amount of vacuum set uptherein.

9. A stomach pumping apparatus or the like comprising a vacuum source, atwo chamber vacuum motor connected to said vacuum source for continuousoperation thereof, said vacuum motor alternately connecting each chamberthereof to said vacuum source and to the atmosphere, a pair ofreceivers, a conduit connecting one chamber of said motor to one of saidreceivers to alternately set up a vacuum therein and to supplyatmospheric air thereto, a second conduit connecting the oppositechamber of said motor to the other of said receivers to alternately setup a vacuum and to release the vacuum by air supply thereto, a pair ofpump means, and individual tubes individually connected to the interiorof one of said receivers and to a said pump means for pumping actiontherein by the intermittent vacuum set up within said receiver.

10. A stomach pumping apparatus or the like comprising a vacuum pump, atwo chamber vacuum motor connected to said vacuum pump for continuousoperation thereof, said vacuum motor alternately connecting each chamberthereof to said vacuum pump and to the atmosphere, a pair of receivers,a pair of conduits individually connecting one chamber of said motor toone of said receivers to alternately set up a vacuum and atmospheric airpressure therein, a pair of pump means, and individual tubesindividually connected to the interior of one of said receivers and to asaid pump means for pumping action by the alternate vacuum and releaseof vacuum set up within said receiver.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,209,846 Kells Dec. 26, 1916 1,755,318 Dinesen Apr. 22, 1930 1,847,658Lasker Mar. 1, 1932 2,441,980 Steigerwald May 25, 1948 2,704,054Nordenstam Mar. 15, 1955 2,727,678 Henderson Dec. 20, 1955 2,775,955Anderson Jan. 1, 1957 2,811,952 Bitzer Nov. 5, 1957

